Concrete structure with combination compression and tension reinforcement splices



3,340,667 CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH COMBINATION COMPRESSION 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Sept. 12, 1967 F. D. REILAND AND TENSION REINFORCEMENT SPLICES FiledJan. 13, 1964 l 30 INVENTOR.

I j I F, D. REILAND Sept. 12, 1967 AND TENSION REINFORCEMENT SPLICES 5Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1964 a M w Q v. X M m Q Q N w w L m MSept. 12, 1%? F. D. REILAND 3,340,567

CONCRETE STRUCTURE 'WITHCOMBINATION COMPRESSION AND TENSIONREINFORCEMENT SPLIGES Flled Jan 13 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NVELVTOR..Q/WZK 19.

Jag i- Sept. 12, 1967 F o REILAND 3,340,567

CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH COMBINATION COMPRESSION AND TENSIONREINFORCEMENT SPLICES Flled Jan 13 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. awliifiu'zwz/ D. REILAND 3,340,667 CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH COMBINATIONCOMPRESSION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 AND TENSION REINFORCEMENT SPLICES FiledJan. 13, 1964 w ll!! 51c INVENTOR lllllllm 39c I I I 81 United StatesPatent CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH COMBINATION COMPRESSION AND TENSIONREINFORCE- MENT SPLICES Frank D. Reiland, Chicago, Ill., assignor toGateway Erectors, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware FiledJan. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 337,200 The portion of the term of the patentsubsequent to Apr. 12, 1983, has been disclaimed Claims. (Cl. 52722) Thepresent invention relates to an improved reinforced concrete structure.This application is a continuation-inpart of application Ser. No.321,947 filed Nov. 6, 1963, now abandoned, which was acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 200,204, now Patent No.3,245,190; the present application is also a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 208,714, now Patent No. 3,245,189.

The principal object of the invention is to provide, in a concretestructure, a reinforcement comprising at least two deformed reinforcingbars spliced together in endwise abutting relation by means of a splicestructure which is so formed as to function, in cooperation with theconcrete per se and with the deformations on the bars, to providemultiple interlocks between said deformations and parts of the splicestructure, which interlocks develop, at the splice, increased loadsupporting strength in compression and increased yield strength intension.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a reinforcedconcrete structure of the above character, a splice structure thatclamps the bars so as to maintain them in endwise abutting relationprior to the pouring of the concrete and before the formation of saidinterlocks.

A further object is to provide, in a concrete structure of the abovecharacter, a sleeve splice provided with a plurality of openings ofsuitable size to permit the concrete grout to flow freely into thesleeve and to form therein appendant segments of the main concrete bodywhich fill channel-like voids between the deformation ribs of the barsand the space between the end faces of the bars, whereby these appendantbodies of concrete, beingv confined with the splice structure and beingsubjected to triaxial loading, provide strong interlocking concretebodies for developing increased yieldstrength in tension at the spliceand also provided maximum strength in compression, even though the endfaces of the bars are not in total contact with each other.

According to the invention, at least one pair of conventionallydeformedreinforcing bars are spliced together in end-to-end alignment andembedded in a concrete body to reinforce the same. The concrete body maybe of various forms, for example columns, beams, joist, or flooring of abuilding structure, storage dams, foundations and/or any otherreinforced concrete structure which normally requires metallicreinforcement.

The splice reinforcing bars may be positioned either vertically orhorizontally in the concrete body, since the splice structure hascapacity for developing resistance strength against both compressive andtensional forces which may be present in such concrete body. In thisconnection the improved splice means includes a sleeve structure forembracing the adjacent end portions of the spliced bars, including aseries of the conventional deformation ribs formed thereon and thechannels intervening between adjacent deformation ribs.

The adjacent end faces of the bars may be square cut or substantiallysquare cut, that is to say, a slight relative inclination of the endfaces is permitted, since provision is made under the present inventionfor filling and clearance space between the end faces of the bars with abody of concrete grout. The hardened grout body, being enclosed in themetallic sleeve and surrounded by a substantial thickness of hardenedconcrete, becomes triaxially loaded under compressive forces andtherefore constitute a noncompressible body of concrete connected, as anappendage, to the main concrete body.

The sleeve structure of the splice is perforated throughout withopenings of substantial size defining passageways for admitting concretegrout into the space between the end faces of the bars and into thechannels between the deformation ribs on the bars. The bodies ofconcrete grout in said channels abut against the side walls of the saidchannels and against the perimeter surfaces of the passageway openingsin the sleeve structure to provide keylike interlocks for resistingcompressive and tensional stresses imposed on the splice structure.

The invention is illustrated in certain preferred embodiments in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation of a concrete structure in whichmetallic reinforcements are embedded in regions of the concrete toresist both compressive and tensional forces;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a fragmentary cross-section taken on line 2a2a of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4. is a view in perspective of a wedge member forming a part of thesplice structure for connecting a pair of reinforcing bars;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of a split sleeve element embracing theadjacent ends of a pair of reinforcing bars;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the sleeve structure 'of theinvention assembled in its operative clamping position about theadjacent ends of a pair of reinforcing bars;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is' a longitudinal section through either the vertical orhorizontal splice structures shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-section through a concrete body andthrough a reinforcement splice embedded therein, the section being takenon line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a concrete structureprovided with a metallic reinforcement comprising conventionallydeformed bars of different size classifications spliced in end-to-endrelation;

, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two bar sections of differentdiameters arranged in end-to-end relation and showing also the severalelements of a clamp structure for splicing the said bars together;

v FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the clamp elements of FIG. 11assembled in clamping relation about two bars of different diameters;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 8, but illustratingthe clamp structure of FIGS. 11-13; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-section taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive of the drawings: designates areinforced concrete body in the form of a structure of a building. Itcomprises foundation pier 11, vertical column 12 supported on the piers,and a horizontal girder 13 for connectiing the upper ends of the column12 and other verticals (not shown) in the structure. Column 12 issubjected principally to the compressive stresses because of thecompression load imposed lengthwise thereon, and the girder 13 and theother horizontal members (not shown) in the structure are subjectedprincipally to tensional stresses incident to the load imposedtransversely thereon. The building structure, therefore, presents an aptstructure for illustrating compressive and tensional stresses, both ofwhich are resisted by the present invention. However, the buildingstructure shown is intended as an illustration only and not as alimitation.

The foundation pier 11 may extend to any suitable depth below the floorlevel 14 of the building, and the girder 13, since the columns arebroken away as indicated at 15, may be treated as being associated witheither the second or third floor of the building. In any event thereinforcement bars embedded in the column 12 are of lengths sufficientto project above the upper floor level and to which additional bars (notshown) may be spliced to extend the height of the building.

Referring now to the metallic reinforcement for the column 12: Inasmuchas the reinforcements for the columns in FIG. 1 are identical, it willbe suflicient to describe the reinforcement of the pier 11 and thecolumn 12 at the left of FIG. 1. This reinforcement may include anydesired number of pairs of conventionally formed bars, for example fourpairs arranged in vertical alignment. The lower bars are members 16, 17,18 and 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 2a). Each bar may be of any suitable length,depending upon the amount of reinforcement required, and the bars areembedded in spaced relation in the pier 11. The upper ends of the lowerbars 16, 17, 18 and 19 extend different distances above the pier 11 andare connected, respectively, to the lower ends of upper bars 20, 21, 22and 23 by means of like splices 24, 25, 26 and 27 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).Inasmuch as the upper ends of the bars 16, 17, 18 and 19 terminate atdifferent distances above the pier 11, the splice structures 24, 25, 26and 27 are located in staggered relation and thereby provide continuityof the reinforcement throughout the length of the column and alsoprevent excessive displacement of concrete at a single locationtransversely of the column.

A vertical column, such as the column 12, is defined primarily tosupport the compressive loads represented by the arrows 28 in FIG. 1.Nevertheless, there are some tensional stresses present therein fromtime to time, for example during severe Wind pressures. Therefore thepresent splice structure is highly desirable for use in columns, sinceit is designed not only to support compressive loads, but also resiststensional stresses.

The horizontal members of a building, for example, the girders 13, aresubjected primarily to tensional stresses since the load is normallyapplied transversely thereof in the direction of gravity. Forconvenience of illustration the arrows 29 are intended to representtensional stresses in the girder. Accordingly the metallicreinforcements herein indicated as bar sections 30, 31 and 32, areembedded in the girder to extend lengthwise thereof below its center ofgravity and preferably in the region of greatest tensional stress nearthe lower face of the girder. The bar 30 may be of suflicient length toextend across the entire span between the column 12, but the barsections 31, 32 are butt spliced together by means of sleeve splicestructure 27a. The construction of the splice structure 27a conformsidentically with the structure of the compression splice structures 27embedded in the column 12. However, when the splice structure 27a isembedded in a horizontal position, such as herein illustrated,

4 it functions primarily to provide yield strength for resistingtensional stresses.

Inasmuch as the tension resisting capacity of the sleeve splice 27adepends upon its special cooperation with the deformations on thereinforcing bars, and in view also of the fact that the sleeve splice 27cooperates with the deformations to increase its strength incompression, the bars will be described briefly before the descriptionof the sleeve structure of the splice means.

There are various designs of deformed reinforcing bars, but generallythey include a pair of ribs 33, one rib at either side of the barextending the entire length of the bar (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A series oftransverse ribs 34 on opposite sides of the bar are spliced apartlengthwise thereof with their ends terminating at or near thelongitudinal ribs 33. It will be observed that each pair of thetransverse ribs 34, defines an intervening channel 35. The longitudinaland transverse ribs define the perimeter of the bar which is gripped, ashereinafter described, by the sleeve structure to move the bar ends intoaxial alignment and to maintain them in this position during the pouringof the concrete to form the concrete body 10.

The adjacent end faces of the bars, particularly the vertical bars inthe columns 12, 12, are preferably, though not necessarily, cutsufliciently square to insure coplanar contact. However, if the endfaces of the bars are reasonably square as they come from the mill noadditional cutting is required, since the improved structure of thepresent invention makes it possible to splice bars having end faces 36,37 (FIG. 5) inclined relative to each other or otherwise spaced apartwithin an allowable clearance tolerance.

Referring now to the construction and operation of the sleeve splicestructure: All sleeve splice structures shown in FIG. 1 of the drawingshave identical constructions and comprise in each case a sleeve elementwhich embraces the adj-acent end portions of both bars being spliced,for example the bars 19 and 23. Considered in its broadest aspect thesleeve may be of any suitable form and construction to insure itsinterlocking cooperation, hereinafter described, with the bars and theconcrete body per se, whereby it develops increased load supportingstrength n compression and also develops increased yield strength 1ntension. However, the preferred specific construction of sleevestructure comprises a split sleeve element 38 and a cooperating wedgemember 39 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7). The edges of the sleeve along theslit 40 are turned laterally in opposite directions to form wedge-likeflanges 41, 42. The wedge member 39 is a unitary structure slightlylonger than the sleeve element 38. It comprises a fiat plate 43 havingdiverging edges which are bent inwardly to provide hook-shaped flanges44-45 for interlocking engagement with substantially the entire lengthof the outturned flanges 41-42 of the sleeve, as shown best in FIGS. 7and 9 of the drawings. The diameter of the sleeve element 38 is slightlylarger than the diameters of the butted bar ends and is suflicientlyflexible to yield circumferentially. The function of the wedge is todraw the flexible side walls of the sleeve in a wrap-around constrictivefashlOIl into tight gripping engagement with the perimeters of the endportions of the bars being spliced.

The sleeve 38 being, as previously indicated, slightly larger indiameter than the butted bar ends, may be slipped over one of the barsand moved to a position clear of its end so as to facilitateinstallation of the other bar. After the bars are brought into partialalignment, the sleeve may be positioned to overlap both bars and theflanges 44, 45 of the wedge '39 are interlocked with the flanges 41, 42of the sleeve 38. During the initial driving of the wedge, the sleevemay be held by any suitable clamp (not shown) in its proper centralizedposition relative to the faces 36, 3-7 of the butted bar ends until thesleeve is contracted into initial gripping engagement with theeri-meters of the bars, the perimeter being defined by the transverseribs 34 and the vertical ribs 33. After the initial constrictivegripping contact on either or both of the butted bar ends the area ofthe contact together with the constrictive pressure asserted issufficient to maintain the sleeve in its proper position during thefurther driving of the wedge to increase the grip of the device on thebars.

The constricting clamping action of the sleeve 38 on the end portions ofthe bars being spliced (for example bars 19 and 23, FIGS. 1 and 5, orbars 31-32, FIG. I) automatically effects axial centering thereof. Thecircumferential flexibility of the sleeve facilities conforming of thesleeve in a manner to compensate for tolerance variations in theperimeter contours of the bars. The circumferential flexibility of thesleeve together with the slight tension of the sleeve walls and parts ofthe wedge permits the sleeve to yield sufficiently to conform to normaltolerance variations in the respective diameters of the bars. Thisadaptability of the sleeve 38 and its wedge 39 to compensate fortolerance variations in the diameters of the respective bars isevidenced by the fact that if the bars vary slightly in their respectivediameters the sleeve will first grip the bar of larger diameter andthereafter upon further driving the wedge downwardly will grip the barof slightly smaller diameter.

When the sleeve is in its proper position a pair of diametricallyopposed apertures 46-47 formed in the side of the sleeve will be sopositioned as to communicate with the space 48 existing between the endfaces 36-37 of the butted bars (see FIGS. 5-7). It will be observed inthis connection that the sleeve element tightly grips the perimeter ofthe splice bars and therefore closes the space between the end faces ofthe bars except for the openings 36-37 and the opening 40 formed by itssplit wall. Consequently a body 50 of relatively fine concrete groutenters into the space 48 and therefore is confined in a substantiallyclosed metallic chamber surrounded by a thick band of concreteconstituting part of the main concrete body (FIG. 8). Upon hardening ofthe internal body 50 of concrete grout and the hardening of the externalbody 10 of concrete, the internal body 50 is rendered non-compressibleand non-displaceable relative to the bar ends 36, 37. In addition totransmitting compressive forces uniformly across the entire areas of theend faces 36, 37 of the spliced bars, the grout body 50 imparts to thesplice structure a compressive strength capacity equal to or greaterthan the ultimate compressive strength capacity of a reinforced concretebody similar to the column 12 but reinforced with non-splicedreinforcing bars of the same size and quality embedded in the structureherein shown.

The sleeve element 38 is provided with two groups of additionalapertures arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length andcircumference of the sleeve. One group is formed in the portion of thesleeve embracing the bar 23 and is designated by reference numerals 51.The surface defining the perimeter of each of the above apertures isdesignated 52 and constitutes in each case a diametrically extendingabutment surface adapted to cooperate with one or the other side face 53or 54 of an adjacent channel 35 of the bar 23 when the latter is filledwith concrete as hereinafter described. The portion of the sleeve 38containing the second group of apertures embraces the end of the bar 19and is designated 55. The surfaces defining the perimeters of theapertures constitute diametrically extending abutment surfaces 56adapted to cooperate with the side walls 57-58 of adjacent channels 35in the end portion of the bar 19 to com plete the transmission ofstresses to or from the bar 23.

The apertures 51 and 55, in addition increasing the flexibility of thesleeve 38, constitute passageways through which concrete grout, duringthe formation of the columns 12 and girder 13, flows into the sleeve tofill the channels 35 of both bar ends embraced by the sleeve. Uponhardening of the concrete, the hardened grout within said channels 35,being confined within the sleeve 38 and being also surrounded by a heavyband of hardened concrete in the main body 10, constitutes a series ofappendant non-compressible segments 59 of the main concretebody. Thesesegments function as key-like interlocks to transmit compressive and/ortensional stresses from one or the other of the bars 19-23 to the sleeve38 and thence to the other one of the bars, depending of course uponwhether the sleeve structure is being used as a compression or a tensionsplice.

When the sleeve structure is used as a compression splice, the line ofcompressive force leads from the abutment face 53 on bar 23 through aconcrete interlock 59 to an opposed abutment surface 52 (the perimeterof an aperture 51) as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8 and thencethrough the sleeve 38 to the perimeter 56 of an aperture 55 serving asan abutment surface on the sleeve, thence through a concrete interlock59 to an abutment face 57 on the bar 19.

Assume now that the sleeve structure 38 is used as a tension splice,such for example as if the bars 19 and 23 were substituted for thetension bars 31, 32 shown in the girder 13. The line of tension forcemay be regarded as starting from an abutment face 58 on the bar 19,thence through a concrete interlock 59 to an abutment surface 56 on thesleeve 38 as indicated by arrows 60a and thence through the sleeve to anabutment surface 52 thereof, and through an interlock 59 to an abutmentface 54 on the bar 23.

The fiat portion 43 of the wedge member 39 has formed therein a seriesof apertures designated 61 which are similar to the apertures 51 and 55and function as auxiliary passageways for delivering grout into thechannels of both bar ends 19 and 23 through the slit opening 40 in thesleeve element.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 15, inclusive of the drawings: The splicestructure of FIGS. 4 to 9 is utilized in FIGS. 10 to 15, with slightmodification, to connect reinforcing bars of different diameterclassifications.

FIG. 10 illustrates a building structure which includes a main column62, an upper extension column 63, a horizontal beam or grider 64 andintermediate columns 65-66, the latter of which are located at oppositesides of a corridor 67. The spaces 68-69 at either side of the corridormay be substantially wider than the corridor. Consequently, theoverlying areas of the grider 64 are reinforced with reinforcing bars 70of larger diameters than the bars 71 overlying the corridor 67. Also thebars 72 and 73 located in column 62 and its extension 63, respectively,are of different diameters and are con,- nected by the modified splice270, since it is usual practice to reduce the diameter and weight of thereinforcing bars as the height of a building is increased.

The truss bar section 74-75 located in the girder are of the samediameter and are therefore connected by splice 27b which corresponds instructure to the splices 27 and 27a as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusiveof the drawings.

The splices 27c for connecting the bars 70-71 and 72-73 of differentdiameters shown in FIG. 10, include a split outer sleeve and a wedge ofsubstantially the same construction as previously described inconnection with FIGS. 4 to 9, inclusive. Consequently all correspondingparts of the splice members shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, inclusive areidentified herein by the same reference numerals used in connection withthe description of the splices shown in FIGS. 4 through 9, but includethe letter The modified splice structure 27c, for purpose ofconvenience, is illustrated and will be described in detail with respectto its position in the column extension 63. However, such descriptionalso applies to the horizontal splices of the bars 70-71.

The bar 63 may be the same in all respects as the bar 23 of FIGS. 5 and6. A pair of semicylindrical reducer sleeve sections 76 are adapted tobe applied to the lower end of bar 73 and seat on the upper end face 78of the bar 72 so that the diameter of bar 73 plus the combined thicknessof the reducer sleeve sections 7676 will correspond to the diameter ofthe diameter of the lower bar 72. The adjacent end faces of the bars72-73 are positioned in angular relation to each other and therebyprovide a slight clearance space 79, as shown in FIG. 8, to be filledwith a body 80 of concrete grout as hereinafter described.

The upper and lower ends of each reducer sleeve section are providedwith recesses 77, either of which will register with the inspectionopenings 46c and 47c formed at the mid point of the sleeve element 38c.Each reducer sleeve section is also formed with a series of apertures 81which registers with the apertures 510 formed in the end portion of thesleeve element 380 which embraces the reducer sleeve and the lower endof the smaller bar 73. Both groups of apertures 51c and 550 formed inthe split outer sleeve element 38c and the apertures 81 formed in thereducer sleeve sections 76 function as passageways for insuring freeflow of concrete grout into the channels 350 between the deformationribs 340 on the bars 72, 73.

The several parts of the splice structure 270 are assembled as follows:The split sleeve element 38c is first inserted over the upper end of thelarger bar 72 and moved to a position below the upper end face 78thereof. The bar 73 is then seated endwise upon the end face 78 of bar72 as shown in FIG. 11. The semicylindrical reducer sleeve sections 76-76 are then fitted about the lower end of the bar 73. The outer sleeveelement 38c is then moved upwardly to enclose the reducer sleevesections 76 and the outer sleeve element 380 is turned to position itsinspection openings 46c, 470 in register with the lower recesses 77 ofthe reducer sleeve sections. The wedge member 390 is then engaged overthe wedge flanges 41c-42c and then driven downwardly tocircumferentially contract the outer sleeve member 380 into constrictivegripping contact with the perimeter of bar 72 and to exert likeconstrictive gripping pressure, through the reducer sleeve sections 76,against the perimeter of the bar 73. The reducer sleeve sections havesome circumferential flexibility; consequently, the contraction of theouter sleeve element 380 under the pressure exerted by the wedge 39cflexes the reducer sleeve sections sufliciently to compensate fortolerance variations in the diameter and/or perimeter contour of the bar73.

During the pouring of the concrete to form the main concrete structureof FIG. 10, concrete grout flows from the main concrete body 10c intothe sleeve 38c at the junction of the end faces 78-79 of the bars 7273.If there is any clearance space between said end faces the concretefills such space to provide a concrete bed or body 80 between the saidend faces of the bars. The flow path for the concrete grout is definedby apertures 46c-47c formed in the outer sleeve 38c and aligned withrecesses 77 adjacent thereto formed in the reducer sleeve sections 76.The grout is substantially confined within the space defined by theinner walls of the reducer sleeve sections 76 and therefore constitutesa non-compressible body for transmitting compression forces across theend faces of the bars 7273. The concrete grout also flows throughpassageways defined by apertures 55c of the sleeve 380 into the channels35c of the bar 72 to form key-like interlocks 590 between abutments 56con the sleeve 38c and abutments 57c on the bar 72. Similar key-likeinterlocks 590 are formed by quantities of concrete grout which flowinto the channels 350 of the bar 73 through apertures 510 formed in thesleeve 38c and registering with apertures 81 formed in the reducersleeve sections 76.

When the sleeve structure 38c is used as a compression splice, the lineof compressive force leads from the abutment face 53c on bar 73 througha concrete interlock 590 to an opposed abutment surface 520 (theperimeter of an aperture 510) as indicated by the arrows 600 in FIG. 14.and thence through the sleeve 38c to the perimeter 560 of an aperture550 serving as an abutment surface on the sleeve, thence through aconcrete interlock 590 to an abutment face 570 on the bar 72.

When the sleeve 38c is used as a tension splice, the line of tensionforce may be regarded as'starting from an abutment face 580 on the bar72, thence through a concrete interlock 590 to an abutment surface 560on the sleeve 380 as indicated by arrows 60cc and thence through thesleeve to an abutment surface 520 thereof, and through an interlock 59cin the direction indicated by arrows 69cc to an abutment face 540 on thebar 73.

I claim:

1. In combination with a concrete body, a metal reinforcement embeddedtherein including two reinforcement bars each having .plural projectingdeformation ribs spaced apart lengthwise thereof and defining multipleintervening channels having radially extending side walls constitutingabutment faces, and splice means connecting the bars together inend-to-end relation, said splice means comprising a contractible sleeveembracing and gripping the adjacent ends of both bars and having alength suflicient to encompass a series of said ribs and interveningchannels at the end of each bar, said sleeve having a plurality of sideopenings of dimensions generally comparable to said channels, saidopenings being distributed throughout the length and circumference ofthe sleeve and constituting passageways for admitting concrete groutinto said channels during pouring of said concrete body to therebyafford a corresponding plurality of appendant concrete interlocksegments extending from the main concrete body through the sleeve wallinto the sleeve and interlocking the abutment faces on the bardeformation ribs with the internal surfaces of the sleeve apertures,said interlock segments serving to transmit both compression and tensionforces from one bar to the other through the sleeve, said side openingsbeing distributed longitudinally and circumferentially throughout saidsleeve to assure complete peripheral interlocking of the sleeve withboth bars.

2. A combination structure according to claim 1 in which the locationsof the side openings in the contractible sleeve are such that theseveral center lines of tensionresisting force through the concreteinterlock segments associated with one bar end of the splice and thecenter lines of tension-resisting force through the concrete interlocksegments associated with the other bar end of the splice are inclined inopposite directions relative to the axis of the bars.

3. A combination structure according to claim 1 wherein saidcontractible sleeve is a circumferentially flexible metal sleeve havinga longitudinal split with the opposite edges at the split turnedlaterally in opposite directions to form wedge-like flanges, and inwhich the split portion of said sleeve is closed by a wedge memberhaving interlocked wedging engagement with said flanges and adapted uponmovement of said wedge member in one direction relative to said flangesto constrict the split sleeve into firm gripping engagement with theperimeters of said deformation ribs on the end portions of both bars,said wedge member having a series of openings therein similar to theside openings in the sleeve distributed throughout the length of saidwedge member, said openings in said wedge member defining additionalpassageways for admitting concrete grout into the split sleeve and intosaid channels between said deformation ribs.

4. A combination structure according to claim 3 wherein said splitsleeve is circumferentially yieldable to accommodate bars of slightlydifferent diameters and perimeter contours and wherein said openings inthe wedge member and in the sleeve cooperate to increase the rate ofyield under tension on the portion of the splice means which embracesthe larger of the two reinforcement bars.

5. A combination structure according to claim 3 in which the reinforcingbars are of different diameter clas- Sifi a iQ Said structure furtherincluding a two-segment reducer sleeve substantially encompassing thereinforce- References Cited ment bar of smaller diameter within thesplit sleeve of UNITED STATES PATENTS the splice, said reducer sleevehaving a plurality of side openings distributed throughout its lengthand constitut- 1,689,281 10/1928 FOFSSCH 52726 ing passageways foradmitting concrete grout into the 5 3,245,189 4/1966 Renaud 52*648channels between the deformation ribs of the smaller bar FRANK L.ABBOTT, Primary Examiner- Y and connecting with the correspondingpassageways afforded by the side openings in the split sleeve. J. L.RIDGILL, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CONCRETE BODY, A METAL REINFORCEMENT EMBEDDEDTHEREIN INCLUDING TWO REINFORCEMENT BARS EACH HAVING PLURAL PROJECTINGDEFORMATION RIBS SPACED APART LENGTHWISE THEREOF AND DEFINING MULTIPLEINTERVENING CHANNELS HAVING RADIALLY EXTENDING SIDE WALLS CONSTITUTINGABUTMENT FACES, AND SPLICE MEANS CONNECTING THE BARS TOGETHER INEND-TO-END RELATION, SAID SPLIC MEANS COMPRISING A CONTRACTIBLE SLEEVEEMBRACING AND GRIPPING THE ADJACENT ENDS OF BOTH BARS AND HAVING ALENGTH SUFFICIENT TO ENCOMPASS A SERIES OF SAID RIBS AND INTERVENINGCHANNELS AT THE END OF EACH BAR, SAID SLEEVE HAVING A PLURALITY OF SIDEOPENINGS OF DIMENSIONS GENERALLY COMPARABLE TO SAID CHANNELS, SAIDOPENINGS BEING DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH AND CIRCUMFERENCE OFTHE SLEEVE AND CONSTITUTING PASSAGEWAYS FOR ADMITTING CONCRETE GROUTINTO SAID CHANNELS DURING POURING OF SAID CONCRETE BODY TO THEREBYAFFORD A CORRESPONDING PLURALITY OF APPENDANT CONCRETE INTERLOCKSEGMENTS EXTENDING FROM THE MAIN CONCRETE BODY THROUGH THE SLEEVE WALLINTO THE SLEEVE AND INTERLOCKING THE ABUTMENT FACES ON THE BARDEFORMATION RIBS WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACES OF THE SLEEVE APERTURES,SAID INTERLOCK SEGMENTS SERVING TO TRANSMIT BOTH COMPRESSION AND TENSIONFORCES FROM ONE BAR TO THE OTHER THROUGH THE SLEEVE, SAID SIDE OPENINGSBEING DISTRIBUTED LONGITUDINALLY AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY THROUGHOUT SAIDSLEEVE TO ASSURE COMPLETE PERIPHERAL INTERLOCKING OF THE SLEEVE WITHBOTH BARS.